Pool Program

Healthy and Safe Swimming Week

The week before Memorial Day has
been designated National Healthy and Safe Swimming Week, marking the
13th anniversary of this observance.

Each year, Healthy and Safe Swimming Week focuses on simple
steps swimmers and pool operators can take to help ensure a healthy
and safe swimming experience for everyone. This year’s theme is
"Check Out Healthy and Safe Swimming," encouraging
pool operators, swimmers and parents of young swimmers to take an
active role in protecting their health and safety by checking for
inspection results before getting in public pools or hot tubs/spas,
and by doing their own quick and easy 4-step inspection before getting into the
water.

For more information on how to join us and
participate in Healthy and Safe Swimming Week, please visit the newly
updated CDC Healthy Swimming Website.

Inspections

Swimming pools can be the source of many diseases and injuries, such
as Giardia, Cryptosporidia, and E. coli as well as slips, falls, and
accidental entrapment. The purpose of the Department of Environmental
Health Food and Housing Division (FHD) Pool program is to assure that
all public swimming pools and spas are maintained in a safe and
healthful condition. In light of these considerations, the proper
construction, maintenance, and operation of public swimming pools and
spas is of significant public health importance.

FHD has approximately 4,000 public pools and spas under permit,
including those located in apartments, hotels, parks, health clubs,
bathhouses, and other health-regulated recreational establishments.
These pools are inspected by environmental health specialists to
identify problems, list violations of the CA Health and Safety Code,
and provide written notification of necessary corrections. Click here to watch a San Diego County Swimming Pool
Inspection Walk-through.

Outreach

In addition to inspections, FHD partners with the pool industry and
other organizations to sponsor educational opportunities and provide
other resources. Every other spring, FHD co-sponsors a one-day pool
seminar for the pool industry to provide ongoing education. FHD is
partnered with the community-based Drowning
Prevention Foundation to raise awareness about ways to prevent
drownings. Each May, FHD participates in Recreational
Water Illness Prevention Week, in association with the Centers
for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), to educate the
public about the spread of recreational water illnesses. "Testing the Waters", a County Television
Network video, showcases our pool inspection program. Be sure to watch
this video, "Checking Public Pools for Safer
Drains", to learn more about the new state law, AB 1020,
which requires public pool operators to install anti-entrapment drain
covers and safety systems.

Resources

The Swimming Pool Operator Guide provides specific information to
assist the layman in the proper maintenance and operation of pool and
spas. This and other valuable swimming pool and spa related
information is provided on our Pool
Publications page.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about our pool program, please call the
FHD Duty Specialist at (858) 505-6900 or e-mail fhdutyeh@sdcounty.ca.gov
To report a problem with a public pool or spa, please call our FHD
Complaint Desk at (858) 505-6903.